Vaccinating Niles

I'm hoping to get Niles vaccinated for the first time soon.

He's 5yrs & not been vaccinated for a number of reasons, one being that I was uneducated before. The other is his health.. He's a little 'wheezy'. My non-rabbit savvy vet said that it wasn't on his chest & there's no discharge so not to worry about it. He only does it when he is stressed (like being handled!). Otherwise he is fine *touch wood*. The rabbit savvy vet commented on it when he was staying in with Frasier & put him on baytril, which made no difference. He suggested doing further tests to find the cause, but I don't want to stress him out as it will make him worse! It's a dilemma :/

Anyway, back to the vaccinations. I've read that the new ones don't hold a risk of the rabbit actually contracting the diseases, but still need to be in good health before it is given. Does anyone know why this is?

Also, do I need to book his vaccinations for when I am going to be here for a week or so to monitor him? Are reactions normal? Ideally I want to get his vaccinations done as quickly and as painlessly as possible to reduce stress. After losing Frasier, I am all too aware of the effects stress can have on a rabbit's guy & I can't bear to struggle with Niles as well. Am I being over dramatic?

ETA - Just spoke to rabbit savvy vets & Niles' vet is on holiday for two weeks on Monday :/ What a pain! I guess I could take him to non-rabbit savvy vet.. I'm a little reluctant though.

I think if a rabbit is not well and their immune system is low at the time of vaccination, either the vaccination might not provide proper cover or the bunny might become unwell as their already compromised immune system can't handle the vaccination. Someone with better knowledge will be able to tell you better than me though!

Reactions aren't that common but I did have 1 rabbit react to the combined vaccination a couple months ago... Sorrell developed Myxo-like nodules on his nose, in his ears and around his eyes. They took a few weeks to dry up and go away but Sorrell wasn't ill in any way and still acted normal. My vet rang the vaccination company to make them aware of the reaction.

I also had nodules appearing on Pooka a few months back when she was vaccinated. The main difference now in the Uk is that the vaccine is developed from myxomatosis, instead of a similar strain ( I believe). My vet did contact the manufacturers too, although we weren't entirely sure if it was a reaction or she had somehow contracted the virus not long after her vaccine, since there was an outbreak in sheffield. However, with her being an indoor bun and all the windows being kept shut, the vet didn't think this hugely likely.

I don't know how confident I would be giving it to an ill rabbit now that I had that happen, it was a scary couple of weeks even with her being well in herself. If he has an ongoing condition it might be in his best interests to find out what it is, especially since if it does lead to further complications you will know the cause, or be able to treat it.

Ah, if the vaccine is made with live myxo then I won't risk it.

I phoned my Vet yesterday & he's going to be on holiday for 2 weeks starting Monday so he will have to wait until he gets back now. The Veterinary receptionist said that a normal vaccination can be done by any Vet, but as soon as I mentioned his wheeziness, she said that I'd have to wait for the specialist to see him.

I might see what he wants to do in terms of further testing.. I draw the line at any anaesthetic because it's not bothering him so I don't want to put him at risk.

It's almost as if it's a nasal problem.. They've ruled out any sort of chest problem.